Robert Copeland's comprehensive review of this pattern on transfer-printed wares in Spode's Willow Pattern and Other Designs after the Chinese provides solid evidence that the Buffalo pattern was copied from an original Chinese export porcelain hand-painted design similar to the 8.9 inch Qianlong period plate (c. 1736-1795) shown here.

A pearlware jug printed in blue underglaze in the Buffalo or Boy on a Buffalo pattern, type D, with gild decoration. Reference, Copeland, Robert. Spode's Willow Pattern and Other Designs after the Chinese. Buffalo, one of the earliest Chinoiserie patterns, was made by several potteries in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Judging by the number of potteries that produced the Buffalo pattern, it...

Description:

A pearlware jug printed in blue underglaze in the Buffalo or Boy on a Buffalo pattern, type D, with gild decoration. Reference, Copeland, Robert. Spode's Willow Pattern and Other Designs after the Chinese. Buffalo, one of the earliest Chinoiserie patterns, was made by several potteries in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Judging by the number of potteries that produced the Buffalo pattern, it must have enjoyed great popularity among the growing number of consumers of printed earthenware products.